‘Squid Game’ Ends with Season 3, Director Hwang Rules Out Sequel

By Jiyoun, Moon

Jul 01, 2025

‘Squid Game’ Ends with Season 3, Director Hwang Rules Out Sequel
photo courtesy of Netflix



'Squid Game 3' Director Hwang Dong-hyuk nailed 'There is no season 4'

The Netflix Original 'Squid Game' is the world's most beloved Netflix series. Seasons 1 and 2, which created unprecedented syndromes around the world with their ingenious imagination and creative worldview, recorded about 600 million viewers (view time divided by the total running time of the work) in the two seasons. In addition, Season 1 captured both productivity and popularity by being listed as the most popular series of all time on Netflix. Season 2 also scored the highest number of viewers in the first week of its release, and entered the top 10 non-English series three days after its release, and the two seasons set a global milestone as Korean works together, ranking third in Netflix's most popular series.

「Squid Game 3" is a story about Ki-hoon (Lee Jung-jae) who lost his best friend in a game that he participated again with his own purpose, the frontman (Lee Byung-hun), who hid in the game while hiding, and the final fate of the participants who survived the cruel game. Since its release on the 27th, it has been receiving mixed reviews at home and abroad, including favorable reviews and harsh criticism. Despite harsh criticism about the content and acting skills, its presence as the most popular work is shining, drawing attention.




In the process, there are some opinions that are divided between likes and dislikes, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk met with reporters with a light heart after finishing the long journey of 'Squid Game'. Coach Hwang, who first expressed his feelings that "I'm relaxed" has been six years since he started writing " until this moment, but in season 1, he started with no high expectations and was very successful, and there was a lot of expectations in season 2 and 3. Anyway, since I finished it, I felt relieved because I felt like I had put down my luggage, and I sometimes feel empty because I wonder when I will do such a great-loved work again."

It is 'Squid Game 3', which has been criticized and praised at the same time since its release. Many also say they are disappointed because expectations were high. In response, director Hwang said, `I understand that there seem to be some people who like it and some who complain. Season 1 was shocked and fresh because it was watched without expectations, and the response was good because it satisfied those who expected interest in the game, and those who wanted social messages were satisfied. However, this time, expectations became a shape, and the things they wanted were different, so there seems to be a conflicting reaction. Whatever comes out, there are conflicting reactions between those who are satisfied and those who are betrayed, which makes sense whether they are liked or not."

‘Squid Game’ Ends with Season 3, Director Hwang Rules Out Sequel
In fact, the finale of the `Squid Game' was close to a happy ending. Coach Hwang explained that he was trying to draw a hopeful ending when Sung Ki-hoon went to meet his daughter at the time when he was planning seasons 2 and 3. Director Hwang said, `When I started writing, I changed my mind. Through this work, I came to think about what I wanted to tell, and as I was writing this work, I thought that the story I wanted to show through this work is becoming more and more difficult to live in when I think back. I thought the sense of economic crisis and inequality was also getting worse. The biggest thing is self-interest, and I wanted to talk about what kind of world we will eventually pass on to our future generations while seeing a world where climate disasters occur and cannot stop. I thought about what I had to do to pass down my dreams and hopes to the younger generation, so I thought the conclusion that Ki-hoon sacrificed for the child as a symbol of the future and the future world by appearing the child was all in the story I wanted to tell. I thought there was a story about Ki-hoon saving the child", he explained.




Director Hwang also said, `This work itself was not a heroic story. The frontman scoffs at the end. Did you have fun playing hero. I didn't intend to make a hero that one such hero could save the world. In the first place, I don't think Ki-hoon could be a hero. Since he is not a person of special ability, I thought the family heroic situation he could do was the last choice. I think it's a heroic act to try to save the child in the game even if he throws everything honestly. Just as one or two political leaders can't save the world, in the end, I think a large number of ordinary people, ordinary people, ordinary people, below average people, should change, and I think it's frustrating, but I think it's that kind of person because it symbolizes the effort and actions that those people can make."

There was even a modification of the intermediate script. Hwang completed the story by filming and editing the script at the same time during the one-year filming period. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, "It was so hard filming season 2 and season 3." It's been a long journey. And while filming, I kept revising the script little by little. It was such a long story, and as many characters came out, I could see the inadequacy and imperfections of the script I completed before, and the inspiration that actors showed while acting was gradually supplemented, so I continued to write the script while filming. I had to go back and fix the script, not rest after filming, so there was a moment when I was mentally and physically struggling as I went back."

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk emphasized throughout the interview that there is no more 'Squid Game' without Sung Ki-hoon. He seems to have completely abandoned his thoughts on season 4. In this situation, in the latter part of 'Squid Game 3', Cate Blanchett appeared as a scabby girl set in the United States, suggesting that the game was continuing in the United States. When asked about the possibility of the U.S. spin-off, he said "It wasn't (intended)." Then "In fact, in the past, if Sung Ki-hoon lived in the United States, I thought about the ending of seeing another recuperator in the United States." If so, there would have been more room for the story to continue, but when Sung Ki-hoon made the ending by death, the ending did not mean that. The Korean game was ended with one person's effort and sacrifice, but the system was so solid that it was a symbolic meaning that everything did not end easily. I didn't try to connect it to the American version or connect it."




‘Squid Game’ Ends with Season 3, Director Hwang Rules Out Sequel
photo courtesy of Netflix
Recently, there has been a rumor in the United States that the American version of 'Squid Game' produced by David Fincher will continue. Leading US media also mentioned this, and it seemed to gain strength. However, Hwang seems to have received a rummer and wrote it. There is no basis in fact whatsoever. I know the article by reading it, but I don't know how far it is true. It's a completely unfounded story that I'm going to shoot in December, I'm directing, and Cate Blanchett is coming out. I like director David Fincher and I've liked him since 'Seven' so I think it would be fun to make it."

However, the idea of a spin-off to announce the reason for the birth of the frontman is still open. Season 3 of 'Squid Game' is a short amount, but it also drew attention as it featured the frontman's past game played by Lee Byung-hun. In response, requests to produce spin-off episodes were also flooded. In response, Hwang said, `After just making it, I thought so. Since I have delivered everything I want to say, there is no point in continuing after, and I want to try a different tone of work. Choi (Jeon Seok-ho) searches the house of Captain Park (Oh Dal-soo), and there is a picture of fishing on the wall. There is a picture with Ddakji Nam (Gong Yoo), and as you pass by, there is a picture with Inho (Lee Byung-hun). I hid it slightly. Where and how this picture was taken. I thought it would be fun to talk about that. Since I don't have any specific thoughts, I thought of putting down the burden of messages and wanting to talk about such interesting stories. It's still vague to say when you're going to do it. I think I'll be able to do it someday if I have a chance"It raised expectations.





lunamoon@sportschosun.com